As state basketball continued in Lincoln Friday, one team was particularly proud of their star player not only for his accomplishments on the court, but how he has turned his life around.

It was Lyle Hexom’s dream to play with his Omaha South teammates at the state basketball tournament, but a year ago, he was a long way from the starting roster.

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“I was hard-headed and I didn't listen. I thought I was right all the time, so that got me in trouble,” Hexom said.

Hexom said he had fallen in with a bad crowd and was introduced to drugs and alcohol and started skipping school. Douglas County juvenile court ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring device, but the judge allowed him to play basketball.

“That probably kept me sane. When I was at home, I was going crazy, but when I was playing basketball, it was the highlight of my day,” he said.

Hexom said it wasn’t easy for him to play the sport he loved while having to wear an ankle bracelet.

“At the Central game, they'd chant 'ankle bracelet,' but I didn't pay attention. I was too focused in the game,” he said.

His coach taught him how to stay focused and humble. Those lessons, he said, are making him a better person, not just a better player.

“It's taught me to be more responsible. I've got to respect coach, so it's taught me to respect my elders,” he said.

“We don't like to give up on kids, but there were a lot of times we were pretty close, and until somebody wants it for themselves, it's hard to not want it for them,” said coach Bruce Chubick.

Hexom is out of trouble and scoring baskets ankle-bracelet free. Unfortunately, the Packers lost in the semifinals, but Hexmon said he has already talked to schools about playing college ball.

“Tune out all the bad stuff. Hit the books really hard. Work hard in practice and practice makes perfect,” he said.